The announcement by Minister Butler of a $1.5 million payment to help one community health centre (cohealth) in inner Melbourne is welcome and completely ignores the ongoing deficiencies in the funding model for community health centre general practices which service the most vulnerable patients, said Dr Tim Woodruff, president, Doctors Reform Society.
An independent panel whose report has not been released, would have informed the minister that whilst cohealth had governance issues unique to it, adjacent community health centres are running general practices which are not financially viable because of underfunding by the State Government, but more importantly, because the funding model for such general practices is totally inadequate.
This funding model ignores the reality that caring for a person who speaks no English, doesn't have any health literacy, has limited funds, and dysfunctional family support, is a lot more resource intense than looking after a patient in Brighton, who understands everything they are told and has the resources to make best use of the care offered. Indeed, doctors get less per minute in funding if they spend longer with patients.
Minister Butler has let down the people of inner Melbourne and the fact that the report has not been released, suggests he has no interest in addressing the underlying funding issue. Patients will suffer because of his inaction. General practices in these community health centres may have to restrict services in the future simply to survive financially.
Dr Tim Woodruff
